Thursday, September 30, 2010

The people in between

Whilst we endlessly debate whether Karzai is friend or foe or fit to lead

Every day, a softly spoken young man in our office, whose name I don’t even know, discreetly feeds a scrawny calico cat, which hangs around by the rubbish bins beside our office dining room. He is the only person who does this and for some reason I find this gesture incredibly touching.

Yet for the miles between us and each other’s words that we don’t understand, she hugs me each morning before I leave the house. I love the sensation of wrapping my arms around this small round woman, gently squeezing her soft fat frame, and I feel loved.Read more at captaincat.typepad.com

Live in Hamilton, Ohio and have 6 cats and/or dogs in your home? You are now breaking the law and must get zoned as a kennel or give up your pet. In the middle of Congressman Boehner's distric - go figure?!

Council limits number of pets

HAMILTON

With only Mayor Pat Moeller voting no, City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 22, passed an ordinance restricting the number of household pets to no more than five adult cats and/or dogs, unless the area is zoned and licensed as a kennel.

Out of the Ashes

After my recent vehicle and bike robbery, I thought my cycling days were over. But that all changed when I received a message from a member of the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club that there was some big news in store.

I was presented with the new bike last week at the Century Cycles

It felt like Christmas morning. Nope, better. It’s a day I will never forget.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

With threats ranging from pollution to urban sprawl, America's wild spaces are in greater danger than ever before. We don't have much time to make sure the White House knows that we're counting on them to stand up for America's outdoor spaces.

Right now, President Obama is gathering feedback for a new initiative that could shape national conservation efforts for years to come.

I've already sent my letter urging the President to protect our rivers, wild places, parks and farms. Will you join me? Click below to add your voice before September 30th:

This November, the White House will release their report outlining conservation priorities. With so many threats to our great outdoors, it's critical that we speak up now to ensure that the White House prioritizes the most urgent needs.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Two Latino brothers, and Vietnam vets, are latest victims of broken immigration system

Though the two men were born in Mexico over 60 years ago, their mother was an American citizen. They served in the United States military -- Manuel in the Marines and Valente is a soldier. Serving in the military, with the medals to prove it, usually is enough proof to show any government where a soldier's heart lies.

Manuel and Valente Valenzuela stand with their lawyer in describing their disbelief that the federal government wants to deport them to Mexico.

It's clear that the public knows who screwed up - what people want to know now is how long to get out and how are we going to do it. If President can answer those question and other Democratic candidates as well, then they will win support. If it's going to take two, three more years -fine - I can deal with that and make plans - not knowing is what drives folks nutty enough to even think the Tea Party folks might have an answer.

The public is dissatisfied with the economy and a lot of this translates into dissatisfaction with the Obama administration. But the public has not lost sight of who is mostly to blame for the country’s current economic troubles.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Great pair of photographers. In French but photos speak loads for themselves. If you need extra inspiration of why to help save the planet from over-industrialization of everything - including agriculture - give a look.

When the Girl Scouts aren’t helping young girls become confident and productive members of society, they’re apparently serving as a feminist training ground for godless, man-hating, pro-abortion lesbianism — at least according to Hans Zeiger, Republican candidate for Washington’s House of Representatives.

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

TAPE ART

Tape Art is a original, playful and imaginative new art medium that sprung in to being with the discovery that tape can be sculpted and articulated and used to draw. With tape you can visualise the world as your canvas.

I am particularly excited about the application of Tape Art as a teaching medium, as a vehicle for collaborative community storytelling, and as therapeutic tool in health and healing settings.Read more at www.ericaduthie.com

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Almost speechless at BP's arrogance that it thinks it can blackmail Congress! Utter nonsense. President and Congress should start thinking about freezing all BP assets to cover clean up and send BP packing. Attempted robbery of the highest order. Spitting mad!

BP Says Limits on Drilling Imperil Oil Spill Payouts

BP is warning Congress that if lawmakers pass legislation that bars the company from getting new offshore drilling permits, it may not have the money to pay for all the damages caused by its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hope no one is hurt. The industry says they know what they are doing but... And people need their jobs. But if their job is helping to kill the Gulf and the planet, let's enlist them in a well paying conservation corps and -- well you get the picture - reclaim the Gulf!

Another rig explodes off La. coast; oil spreading

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Another oil rig exploded and caught fire Thursday off the Louisiana coast, spreading a mile-long oil sheen in the Gulf of Mexico west of the site of BP's massive spill. All 13 crew members were rescued.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

The covert footage was recorded at Buckeye Veal Farm in Apple Creek, Ohio, and reveals baby calves chained inside 2-feet wide wooden stalls – so narrow they cannot turn around, walk, run, play, socialize with other animals, or engage in other basic natural behaviors. In such tight confinement, the animals are unable to lie down comfortably, breathe fresh air, see sunlight, clean themselves or bond with their mothers.

“I’m very excited to be back in the fitness business,” Fonda told PEOPLE. “I know from experience and from my research how critical it is for boomers and seniors to be physically active. Even if they’ve never exercised in their lives, now’s the time and my programs are a good, safe way to do it.” Read more at janefonda.com

A Victory for Domestic Workers

Yesterday, New York Governor David Paterson signed a bill that will guarantee domestic workers such as nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers of the elderly one day of rest per week and after a year of employment, a minimum of three paid days off. It also includes protection against sexual harassment and other types of discrimination, and is supposed to strengthen current laws for live-in domestic workers.Read more at feministing.com